Web development terms explained (for non-techy clients).
When you’re working with a web developer, it can sometimes feel like they’re speaking another language. From “DNS” to “responsive design,” there’s no shortage of technical jargon. But don’t worry — this post is here to help.
Below are some of the most commonly used web development terms, broken down in plain English. You don’t need to know how to code to understand these — just a little curiosity!
1. Domain name
The address people type into their browser to find your website (e.g. yourbusiness.com).
2. Hosting
The service that stores your website’s files and makes them accessible on the internet.
3. CMS (content management system)
Software that lets you update your website without needing to write code. WordPress is a popular example.
4. Responsive design
A design that automatically adjusts to look good on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
5. Front-end
The part of the website users see and interact with — buttons, images, text, and layout.
6. Back-end
The behind-the-scenes stuff — servers, databases, and code that power your website.
7. SSL certificate
A digital certificate that secures your website (the reason your site starts with “https” instead of just “http”).
8. SEO (search engine optimisation)
The process of improving your website so it ranks higher in search engines like Google.
9. UX/UI
User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) are about how easy and pleasant it is to use your site.
10. Plugins
Add-on tools that expand your website’s features — like contact forms, galleries, or SEO boosters.
11. Wireframes
Simple layouts or sketches showing where content will go — kind of like a blueprint before design starts.
12. Staging site
A private test version of your site where you can make updates before pushing them live.
13. Cache
A system that stores temporary copies of files to help your website load faster. If you’re not seeing changes, you might need to “clear your cache.”
14. CDN (content delivery network)
A network of servers around the world that helps your website load faster by showing content from a server near the visitor.
15. Theme
A theme controls how your website looks — layout, colours, fonts, and design elements.
16. Template
A pre-designed layout for specific pages — like blog posts, portfolios, or contact pages.
17. Favicon
The tiny icon that shows up in your browser tab — usually your logo or a mini version of your brand.
18. 404 page
The error page that shows up when someone tries to visit a page that doesn’t exist.
19. Accessibility (a11y)
Making sure your site is usable by people with disabilities — like screen reader users or keyboard-only navigation.
20. Analytics
Tools like Google Analytics track who’s visiting your site, where they came from, and what they’re doing.
21. Breakpoint
The screen widths where your website layout changes to fit different devices — like mobile vs desktop.
22. Alt text (alternative text)
A short description added to images to help screen readers and improve SEO.
23. API (application programming interface)
A way for your website to connect with other tools — like showing your latest Instagram posts or syncing with a payment system.
24. DNS (domain name system)
The system that translates your domain name into a set of numbers (an IP address) so browsers can find your website.
25. Uptime
The amount of time your site is live and available online — usually shown as a percentage (e.g. 99.9%).
26. Sitemap
A file that lists all your site’s pages so search engines can crawl and index them properly.
27. Redirect
When one web address automatically takes you to another — useful if you’ve renamed a page or moved it somewhere new.
28. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
The code that controls your website’s styling — like colours, fonts, spacing, and layout. If HTML is the structure, CSS is the design layer.
29. WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get)
A visual content editor that lets you make changes without writing code. It shows you a preview as you go — like editing a Word document instead of raw HTML.
Why this matters
Understanding these terms helps you feel more confident when working on your website. You’ll be able to ask better questions, make informed decisions, and stay in the loop throughout the process.
Still unsure about something your developer said? Get in touch or check out more beginner-friendly posts in my Start Here guide.
